%% Last Updated: - [[2021-02-22]] - [[2021-02-11]] %% # Getting Started With Algorithms of Thought [Readwise URL](https://readwise.io/bookreview/7665852) | [Source URL](https://www.cortexfutura.com/getting-started-algorithms-of-thought/) ---  --- algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems or achieving an end Merriam Webster. Algorithms of Thought then are procedures for thinking through a problem or situation to solve it. ^144131651 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15471967 --- > Marvin Minsky describes a difference engine in his book "The Emotion Machine" like this: > \ > "At every step, this program compares its descriptions of the present and that future situation, and this produces a list of differences between them. Then it focuses on the most serious difference and applies some technique that has been designed to reduce this particular type of difference. If this succeeds, the program then tries to reduce what now seems to be the most serious difference. However, whenever such a step makes things worse, the system goes back and tries a different technique." (Minsky 2006, 188) ^144131652 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15471972 --- > Want, Impediment, Remedy Algorithm > \ > A more concrete implementation of the Difference Engine concept is something I recently came across on Twitter, where mormo_music shared an algorithm inspired by wording from Michael Ashcroft > \ > \ > rwant > \ > - [[I want]] myWantStatedHere > - impediment:: impediment1 <!--ID: 1631100134138--> > - remedy:: remedy1 <!--ID: 1631100134143--> > - **action items** > - referenceRemediesToImplementHere ^144131653 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15471978 --- Simple Choice Algorithm ^144131654 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15471986 --- > - {{[[TODO]]}} #[[Choice]] > - Options:: <!--ID: 1631100134147--> > - Decision:: > \ > Only mark a choice done when I've block ref'd one of the options to decision ^144131655 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15471991 --- Assumptions X-ray Algorithm ^144131656 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15472000 --- > Conor also points to another step he does - listing constraints > \ > \ > For instance - when running a choice template, I often use > \ > ;aa > \ > To write out > \ > - Advantages:: > - Disadvantages:: > \ > beneath each option ^144131657 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15472006 --- What's particularly great about using these algorithms in Roam is that you can observe your problem solving and the performance of different algorithms over time ^144131658 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15472011 --- > Difference Engine Template > \ > \ > - [[Run Difference Engine]] > - Current Situation:: > - Future Situation:: > - Differences:: > - Most serious difference:: > Want, Impediment, Remedy Template > \ > \ > [[I want]] state your want here > - impediment:: > - remedy:: > - impediment:: <!--ID: 1631100134152--> > - remedy:: > - **action items** (use block references) > Simple Choice Algorithm Template > \ > \ > {{[[TODO]]}} [[Choice]]: > - Constraints:: > - Options:: > - Decision:: > \ > Assumptions X-ray Template > \ > \ > - Assumptions:: > - General Assumptions:: > - culture binding:: > - information:: > - Assumptions at the crux:: > - Assumptions determining the constraints:: > - time:: > - money:: > - Energy: > - cost/benefit:: > - cooperation:: > - physics:: > - law:: ^144131659 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15472020 --- That's also what distinguishes Mental Algorithms from Mental Models: Mental Models are descriptive, they help to describe the world and reduce complexity through abstracting from reality. Mental Algorithms on the other hand are procedural - they guide you through a series of steps instead. ^144131660 **References:** https://instapaper.com/read/1381696975/15472023 ---